The W, Mikrokosmos, TYZart**** recommended
Following the example of Chick Corea, Bruno Heinen's The W for Mikrokosmos zones in specifically on Book 6. What a pick-me-up.
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Peter Erskine, Peregrine, Hard Wag Records **** highly recommended
A winning array of Keith Jarrett, Phoebe Snow, Alan Pasqua, Peter Erskine, Brian Wilson and Jimmy Webb material contained within what's crafted as carefully as a choice artisanal blend.
13 April 2026
Biréli Lagrène, Elegant People, PeeWee! ****
Swinging French guitar icon Biréli Lagrène does not disappoint with his best album in simply years. Its sentimental insouciance and savoir faire are something of a revelation that may cure any lingering feeling, dear reader, you might possess of jadedness. Listening shakes off such torpor.
6 April 2026
Alexander Claffy, Alive in Philadelphia, Vol. 1 (At Chris’ Jazz Cafe), Cellar Music ****
Leaps out of the speakers: what a very happening live album from a stellar US band playing a Coltrane tune you rarely hear on a record these days among other gems. Includes formidable sax playing from Seamus Blake and Jaleel Shaw.
30 March 2026
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Noa Levy and Paul Edis Trio, Portrait in Evans, Dot Time Records **** recommended
Unveiling their swinging new "modern jazz" album together inspired by the hugely influential Miles Davis Kind of Blue pianist Bill Evans, Noa Levy and Paul Edis go on an English road trip this spring.
23 March 2026
Mark Turner, Patternmaster, ECM ****
Bass rich quartet studio sounds from tender modernist the poet of the saxophone, Mark Turner. The American tangles up in blue meaningfully with trumpeter Jason Palmer in the top lines.
16 March 2026
Alex Hitchcock, Ant Law, Jasper Høiby, Sun-Mi Hong, House of Light, ZenneZ **** recommended
Formidable, probing, interrogative instrumentalism from a band of leaders. Post-bopper Alex Hitchcock is the sax genius of Chris Potter calibre quietly nestling in our midst.
9 March 2026
Sara Colman and Rebecca Nash, Ribbons Vol. 1, Stoney Lane ****
A brooding, serious work stocked with more than a few great moments.
1 March 2026
Bob Reynolds, Eddie Told Me So, Nosahu Records ****
Compared to what? Feelgood no nonsense sax sounds empathetically accompanied from the Snarky Puppy sax honcho, paying tribute intelligently even while sidestepping core Eddie Harris material. Reader it works.
23 February 2026
Niklas Lukassen, Still Waters, Heartcore **** recommended
Extremely impressive debut from imaginative bassist and singer Niklas Lukassen whom you can hear play live later this week at London club the Vortex.
16 February 2026
Airelle Besson and Lionel Suarez, Blossom, Bretelles/Papillon Jaune **** recommended
Charming trumpet and accordion settings.
13 February 2026
Nils Wülker, Zuversicht, Warner Music Central Europe **** recommended
Instantly appealing. Tunes that steal a little piece of your heart.
11 February 2026
The James Hunter Six, Off the Fence, Easy Eye Sound
Uplifting instant sunshine
19 January 2026
Marçal Perramon, Waiting, Fresh Sound New Talent
A master/student playing relationship applies as Chris Cheek guests on a convincing album of Catalan saxist Marçal Perramon's.
31 December 2025
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Gonzalo Plays Pino, Itinera
Lively and at times tender interpretations of songs by Neapolitan singer Pino Daniele led by Cuban piano legend Gonzalo Rubalcaba and featuring vocals by Maria Pia De Vito plus a simpatico band flavoured by the Gato Barbieri like sax playing of Daniele Sepe.
22 December 2025
Tom Ollendorff, Where in the World, Fresh Sound
The melodicist's melodicist scores a winner once again.
16 December 2025
Iiro Rantala, Trinity, ACT ***
Édith Piaf and Duke Ellington classics win the day on this trip down memory lane of a piano trio outing recorded in a French chateau.
8 December 2025
Theo Croker, Sullivan Fortner, Play, ACT
Sublime melancholia from the trumpet and piano playing duo
1 December 2025
Rufus Wainwright with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, I’m a Stranger Here Myself: Wainwright Does Weill, Pacific Jazz Orchestra / Thirty Tigers
Crackles with life enough to conjure Kurt Weill's depictions of colourful trouble and strife.
24 November 2025